Details Found In Shannon Hoon Of Blind Melon's Autopsy
Blind Melon first erupted as a '90s buzz band with their iconic music video for the band's debut single, "No Rain." The video's memorable "Bee Girl" dancing to the gentle but upbeat melody made the band second her memorable performance to the track. The album was released in the fall of 1992 but lagged in sales until the "No Rain" video and its "Bee Girl" vaulted it to the No. 11 spot on the Billboard Music Charts (per Top 40 Weekly). The success of the "No Rain" single drove album sales, helping the self-titled debut album from the LA-based rockers achieve triple platinum status.
Blind Melon embarked on a massive tour, securing dates throughout the United States and Europe and playing with music legends Lenny Kravitz and Neil Young (via Creem Magazine). But by the time the band's sophomore release debuted, the members were road weary. Constantly touring for well over a year took its toll on some members more than others. In particular, frontman Shannon Hoon had developed a drug and alcohol addiction.
But determined not to allow the success of "No Rain" to condemn them to a one-hit-wonder band, Blind Melon went back into the studio and recorded "Soup," released in 1995 (per Rolling Stone). After Hoon had completed two separate drug rehab programs, he and the band went on tour to support their second studio album. Sadly, Hoon died on October 1995, just weeks into the tour.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Hoon died from a cocaine overdose in 1995
The Associated Press reports that Shannon Hoon was found unresponsive on the band's tour bus by their sound manager. Unable to roust him, the manager phoned 911. Hoon was declared dead at the scene.
No drugs or drug paraphernalia were found around Hoon. But given his history of addiction, it was suspected that illegal drugs were a contributing factor. An initial autopsy failed to find a cause of death, per The Associated Press. But according to Billboard, the initial suspicions were not off the mark — it was eventually determined that Hoon died from a heart attack that was fueled by his cocaine use. The Spokesman-Review tells us that the 28-year-old singer had just become a father for the first time several months earlier.
It was fellow band members who talked him into going to rehab, and the members made every effort to keep drugs out of their "Soup" tour. They went so far as to hire a counselor to monitor Hoon on the tour. But due to Hoon's reaction, this was a short-lived strategy, and the counselor was relieved of duty days before Hoon's fatal overdose.
Officially ruled as a cocaine overdose, Hoon's death shocked fans around the world. Though the news did not get near the media coverage of the suicide of Hoon's contemporary Kurt Cobain, who died in April 1994, it did prompt the band's followers to make mournful and heartfelt statements to the media outlets that paid homage to the late singer. The death was also ruled as unintentional (per The Cinemaholic).
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Blind Melon eventually replaced Hoon with a new vocalist
Blind Melon was determined to stay together as a band and recruit a new singer. Before this plan came to fruition, they released a third album in 1996 titled "Nico." The album was named after Shannon Hoon's young daughter, who was an infant when he tragically passed. "Nico" was a compilation album featuring several new tracks, a couple of covers, and an alternate version of their hit, "No Rain." Far from being a commercial success, "Nico" is still a favorite among Blind Melon fans.
The band stayed true to its vision of bringing in a vocalist to replace Hoon. In 2006 they entered the studio for the first time in over a decade to record with new lead singer Travis Warren (via Billboard). They recorded three singles that year before going back into the studio again in 2008 to record their first full-length album since "Soup."
"For My Friends" was released that year, and Blind Melon set out on tour. As of 2022, they are still together.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).